Ventilation fan

ABSTRACT

A ventilation fan assembly ( 10 ) having a fan ( 22 ) mounted in a housing ( 12 ) and a shutter assembly ( 60 ). The housing has a square inlet portion ( 12 C), a circular center portion ( 12 E) and a conical outlet portion ( 12 D) having rifling grooves ( 20 ). The shoulder ( 16 ) formed between the inlet portion and the center portion is radiused to reduce disruption of air flowing from the inlet portion to the center portion. The shape of the blades ( 32 ) of the propeller ( 28 ) is such that the axial velocity produced as the propeller rotates is essentially constant along the length of the blades. The shutter assembly has a large, radiused entrance and airfoil shaped blades which reduce air disruption. The blades have a flexible flap ( 68 ) along the trailing edges ( 64 D) which form a seal between adjacent blades to prevent air from leaking from the housing through the shutter assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/753,405filed Jan. 3, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,828.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/174,221 filed Jan. 3, 2000.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a ventilation fan for use in abuilding; particularly, factories and agricultural buildings. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a ventilation fan having abackdraft assembly and providing minimal airflow resistance andincreased efficiency.

(2) Description of the Related Art

The related art has shown various types of propeller blades.Illustrative are U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,694 to Borchers; U.S. Pat. No.3,447,741 to Havette et al and U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,598 to Okada.

Borchers describes a propeller used for the movement of fluids such asin an axial flow fan. The propeller blade is shaped and positioned suchthat when the fan is running at a definite speed, the created vortex isprojected with a centrifugal force at its periphery approximately equalto the static force of the ambient air.

Havette et al describes a faired propeller having a diffuser.

Okada relates to the vane structure of the fan wheel rotor of a fluidpropeller fan which provides a compromise between an axial flow fan anda centrifugal fan. The fan wheel assembly includes a wheel hub having aplurality of vanes extending radially from the wheel hub with each vanehaving a pitch angle which gradually decreases toward the wheel hub. Thepitch angles of each of the vanes are selected so that radially innerportions of the individual vanes are capable of providing drought flowcharacteristics of axial flow fans while radially outer portions of thevanes are capable of providing drought flow characteristics ofcentrifugal fans.

The related art has also shown various types of automatic shutterassemblies having a frame with shutter members pivotably mounted acrossthe frame. Illustrative are U.S. Pat. No. 1,706,280 to Dyer; U.S. Pat.No. 2,594,944 to Lohman, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,350,996 to Rose; U.S. Pat.No. 3,826,179 to Alley and U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,842 to Moore.

In the Dyer reference, the shutter members are formed of rectangularsheet metal plates. The shutter members are provided with a weightedmember disposed relative to the pivotal axis so that while the shuttermembers are in the closed position, the center of gravity of each of theshutter members is located outwardly beyond the pivotal axis thereof,with the result that the shutter members have a tendency to swing ontheir pivots in a direction to cause an inward movement of their loweredges. Thus, the lower edges of the shutter members are firmly pressedinwardly against the faces of the adjacent shutter members. When,however, the fan is started and the air currents impinge upon the rearfaces of the shutter members causing the shutter members to swingoutwardly upon their pivots to a substantially horizontal position. Theresistance of the shutter members to the air pressure during thismovement is gradually decreased because of the fact that the center ofgravity of each of the weighted shutter members moves gradually towardthe vertical plane of its pivotal axis. When the shutter members are intheir wide open positions, there is only a slight tendency of theshutter members to close, and very little air pressure is required tokeep the shutter members in their wide open positions.

In the Lohman reference, the hinge ears of the carrier brackets for theshutter members counterbalances the major part of the weight of theforwardly extending free end portions of the shutter members and theirinterconnecting lever arms and tie bar. The counterbalance is calculatedso that the shutter members will tend to move to the closed positionunder gravity yet will open quickly and easily when airflow pressure isdirected against their inner faces. The shutter is also provided with aspring member to prevent the shutter members from remaining in the openposition.

In the Rose reference, the shutter members are inverted, V-shapedmembers with inwardly directed arms preferably secured to each end ofeach blade and are pivotably connected to the sides of the frame bypivot members. A control member is connected to the arms and allows formanually adjusting the shutter members.

Alley and Moore show backdraft assemblies having airfoil shaped shuttermembers.

Of some interest is U.S. Pat. No. 3,072,041 to Downing which shows ashutter device having shutter plates located between the housing of themotor and the outer ring.

Also of interest are U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,654 to Killam; U.S. Pat. No.5,215,438 to Chou et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,339 to Burgers.

Killam shows a ventilating apparatus having an inlet for moving air intothe centrifugal blower wheel. When the blower wheel is motionless, theoutlet is closed by a flat swingable damper vane. The damper vaneprevents outside drafts from traveling back through the wheel into thebuilding.

Chou et al describes a self-centered orifice housing for an axial flowfan. The housing includes fan motor supports that also functioncollectively as a fan stator. The construction of the housing is suchthat assembling the motor into the housing results in the motor shaftbeing precisely located at the center of the housing orifice, so thatthere is a very small clearance between the orifice wall and blade tipsof the fan. The inlet of the orifice is elliptical in cross-section.This configuration promotes attached flow in the air entering theorifice contributing to reduced noise generation and increasedefficiency in the fan and orifice system.

Burgers describes a turbulator for a fluid impelling device such as anaxial or centrifugal fan. The turbulator has a triangular cross-sectionand prevents flow separation as the fluid flow enters the inlet passageto decrease the acoustic level.

There remains the need for a ventilation fan having a square inlet whichdoes not disrupt airflow into the fan and having a propeller whichproduces airflow having a constant velocity along the length of theblades to produce better airflow and also having an automatic backdraftassembly which is easily installed and removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ventilation fan assembly having anaxial propeller fan mounted in a housing. The housing has a square inletportion, a circular center portion and a conical shaped outlet portion.The shoulder formed in the inner cavity of the housing between thesquare inlet portion and the circular center portion is radiused toreduce disruption of air flowing from the inlet portion to the centerportion. The fan is mounted by a bracket in the inner cavity of thehousing. The bracket on which the fan is mounted has two (2) arms whichhave angled end sections and straight or vertical center portions. Whenthe bracket is correctly positioned in the housing, the center portionsare parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bottom wall of theinlet portion of the housing. The end portions are angled such that theplanes formed by the angled end portions extend through and intersect atthe center axis of the center portion of the housing. The shape andpositioning of the bracket correctly positions the fan such that thepropeller of the fan is completely within the circular center portion ofthe housing and spaced apart from the inlet of the housing. Thepositioning of the bracket and fan produces minimal disruption of airmoving into the center portion. The inner diameter of the center portionis only slightly greater than the diameter of the path of the propellerwhich increases the efficiency of the fan. The fan of the presentinvention is approximately 20% more efficient and provides approximately20% more airflow. The blades of the propeller have an airfoil shape andalso include a rounded protrusion on the trailing edge adjacent thecenter hub of the propeller. The shape of the blades is such that theaxial velocity produced by the propeller as the propeller rotates isessentially constant along the length of the blades. The inlet of thehousing is provided with an automatic shutter assembly. The outer sideof the frame of the shutter assembly is radiused to reduce thedisruption of the air entering the inlet of the housing. Toggle latchessecurely hold the shutter assembly in place while allowing the shutterassembly to be quickly and easily removed. The shutter blades of theshutter assembly have an airfoil shape to allow for quicker and easieropening of the shutter assembly with less airflow resistance.

The present invention relates to a fan assembly for use in ventilationof a building, which comprises: a housing having an outlet with aconical shape and an inlet with an inner cavity extending between theinlet and the outlet, the inner cavity having a center portion with acircular cross-section; a bracket mounted in the inner cavity of thehousing spaced between the inlet and the center portion; and a fanmounted on the bracket and having a motor connected to a shaft with apropeller mounted on one end of the shaft, the fan being mounted on thebracket such that the propeller is spaced apart from the inlet and theoutlet of the housing, the propeller having blades, each blade having ashape such that when the propeller is rotating, an axial velocity of aircoming off the propeller is essentially constant along most of a lengthof the blades from a tip of the blades toward the shaft wherein theblades of the propeller are located in the center portion of the innercavity spaced apart from the inlet of the housing.

Further, the present invention relates to a fan assembly for use in abuilding for ventilation, which comprises: a housing having an outletwith a conical shape and an inlet having a square cross-section with aninner cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet, the innercavity having a center portion with a circular cross-section; a fanmounted in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and having amotor connected to a shaft with a propeller mounted on one end of theshaft, the propeller having blades wherein the fan is mounted in thehousing such that the propeller is spaced apart from the inlet and theoutlet of the housing; and a backdraft assembly mounted on the inlet ofthe housing and having a frame with shutter blades pivotably mounted onthe frame and extending horizontally across the inlet of the housingwherein the shutter blades have an airfoil shape with a front edge and arear edge and are mounted at the front edge to the frame wherein aflexible flap is mounted on the rear edge wherein when the shutterblades are in a closed position, the flexible flap allows for sealing ofthe shutter blades to prevent air in the inner cavity of the housingfrom moving out of the housing through the inlet and the backdraftassembly.

The substance and advantages of the present invention will becomeincreasingly apparent by reference to the following drawings and thedescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fan assembly 10 of the presentinvention having a direct drive.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fan assembly 10 having a directdrive showing the shutter blades 64 of the shutter assembly 60 in theopen position.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the fan assembly 10 having a belt drive systemwithout the shutter assembly 60 showing the motor 44 mounted on thebracket 34.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shutter blades 64 in theopen position.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shutter blades 64 of theshutter assembly 60 in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of the edge of the shutter blades 64showing the flexible flap 68.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shutter assembly 60 with the shutterblades 64 in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the first end piece 70 showing the connector74, the pivot pin 78 and the tie bar pin 80.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the ventilation fan assembly 10 of the present invention.The fan assembly 10 is intended to be installed in buildings such asfactories or agricultural buildings and can be constructed in a varietyof sizes. The fan assembly 10 includes a housing 12, a fan 22 and abackdraft assembly 60. The housing 12 has an inlet 12A and an outlet 12Bwith an inlet portion 12C adjacent the inlet 12A and an outlet portion12D adjacent the outlet 12B. A center portion 12E is spaced between theinlet portion 12C and the outlet portion 12D. The inlet 12A of thehousing 12 is provided with a mounting flange 14 to allow for securingthe fan assembly 10 in the building. In the preferred embodiment, theinlet portion 12C of the housing 12 has a square cross-section. Thesquare shape of the inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 allows foreasier installation of the fan assembly 10 in a building. The verticalsidewalls of the inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 are each providedwith a rounded protrusion spaced between the top wall 12F and bottomwall 12G of the inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 (FIG. 1). Theprotrusion extends outward toward the center portion 12E. The centerportion 12D of the housing 12 preferably has a circular cross-section. Ashoulder 16 is formed in the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12 betweenthe inlet portion 12C and the center portion 12E. The shoulder 16 ispreferably radiused or rounded to reduce the disruption of air movingfrom the inlet portion 12C to the center portion 12E. The radiusedshoulder 16 in the inner cavity 18 helps to smooth the transition of airfrom the square inlet portion 12C to the circular center portion 12E. Inthe preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional size of the inlet portion12C is greater than the cross-sectional size of the center portion 12E.The center portion 12E of the housing 12 preferably has a constant innerdiameter along its length. The outlet portion 12D of the housing 12extends outward from the center portion 12E and is preferably formed bya discharge cone. The discharge cone has a conical shape and increasesin diameter as the discharge cone extends away from the center portion12E. The discharge cone extends outward at an angle of about 9° from thehorizontal. The outlet portion 12D of the discharge cone opposite thecenter portion 12E is preferably provided with a screen or grate 19 toprevent foreign objects from entering the outlet 12B of the housing 12and damaging the fan 22 (FIG. 1). The sidewall of the discharge cone ispreferably provided with rifling grooves 20 on the inner side adjacentthe inner cavity 18. The rifling grooves 20 extend outward at an angle,diagonally from the center portion 12E to the outlet 12B of the housing12 in a clockwise direction. The rifling grooves 20 are preferablyevenly spaced around the sidewall of the discharge cone. It is believedthat the rifling grooves 20 assist in the flow of air from the propeller28 to the outlet 12B of the housing 12. The discharge cone is preferablyremovable from the remainder of the housing 12. This allows for easiershipping and storage of the fan assembly 10. However, the housing 12could be constructed as a single piece. In the preferred embodiment, thehousing 12 is constructed of fiberglass.

The fan 22 is preferably an axial propeller fan which includes a motor26 and a propeller 28 having blades 32. The fan 22 is mounted on asupport or bracket 34 in the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12. In thepreferred embodiment, the propeller 28 includes a center hub 30 andthree (3) blades 32. The center hub 30 has a first end 30A and a secondend 30B with a sidewall 30C extending between the ends 30A and 30B. Thecenter hub 30 is mounted on the shaft 50 such that the first end 30A isfacing or adjacent to the outlet 12B of the housing 12. The blades 32have opposed ends 32A and 32B with a leading edge 32C and a trailingedge 32D extending therebetween. The blades 32 are mounted at one (1)end 32B to the center hub 30 such that the leading edge 32C of the blade32 is adjacent the second end 30B of the center hub 30 and the trailingedge 32D of the blade 32 is adjacent the first end 30A )of the centerhub 30 (FIG. 2). The ends 32B of the blades 32 are mounted on the centerhub 30 at a clockwise angle from the trailing edge 32D to the leadingedge 32C when viewed from the second end 30B of the center hub 30. Theend or tip 32A of the blades 32 preferably have a swept back ormachete-like tip on the trailing edge 32D. The trailing edge 32D of theblades 32 also preferably has a rounded protrusion 32E adjacent thecenter hub 30. The blades 32 preferably have an airfoil shape such thatthe thickness of the blades 32 vary smoothly from the leading edge 32Cto the trailing edge 32D. The width of the blades 32 also preferablyvary along the length of the blades 32 such that the width of the blades32 between the edges 32C and 32D adjacent the center hub 30 is less thana width of the blades 32 between the edges 32C and 32D adjacent the tip32A of the blade 32. The airfoil shape of the blades 32 and theprotrusion 32E are such that when the propeller 28 is rotating, theaxial velocity of air coming off of the propeller 28 is essentiallyconstant along most of the length of the blades 32.

The bracket or support 34 for the fan 22 preferably includes a pair ofstruts or arms 36 and 38 which extend from the top wall 12F of the inletportion 12C of the housing 12 to the bottom wall 12G of the inletportion 12C of the housing 12 (FIG. 3). Each of the arms 36 and 38preferably includes spaced apart angled top and bottom end sections 36A,36B, 38A and 38B with straight center sections 36C and 38C spacedbetween the ends sections 36A, 36B, 38A and 38B. When the bracket 34 iscorrectly mounted in the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12, the centersections 36C and 38C of the arms 36 and 38 are parallel and spaced apartand perpendicular to the top and bottom walls 12F and 12G of the inletportion 12C of the housing 12. The top and bottom walls 12F and 12G ofthe inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 adjacent the center portion 12Eat the shoulder 16 are provided with indentions 40 and 42 which allowfor accurately mounting the bracket 34 for the fan 22. In the preferredembodiment, the shoulder 16 of the housing 12 adjacent the bottom wall12G of the inlet portion 12C is provided with an indention 40 extendingoutward toward the center portion 12E. The bottom end section 36B and38B of the arms 36 and 38 are mounted in the indention 40. Preferably,the shoulder 16 adjacent the top wall 12F of the inlet portion 12C isprovided with a pair of spaced apart indentions 42 which accommodate thetop end sections 36A and 38A of the arms 36 and 38. The indentions 40and 42 in the shoulder 16 enable the fan 22 to be positioned furtherinto the center portion 12E away from the inlet 12A of the housing 12.The mounting of the arms 36 and 38 partially into the shoulder 16 alsoreduces the disruptive effect of the arms 36 and 38 on the air movingfrom the inlet 12A to the fan 22. The front edges 36D and 38D of thearms 36 and 38 facing or adjacent to the inlet 12A of the housing 12 arepreferably radiused and smooth such as to reduce the disruption of airmoving into the center portion 12E from the inlet 12A. The end sections36A, 36B, 38A and 38B are angled with respect to the center sections 36Cand 38C such that when the arms 36 and 38 are correctly positioned inthe inlet portion 12C of the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12, theplanes formed by the arms 36 and 38 extend through and intersect at thecenter axis A—A of the center portion 12E of the housing 12 (FIG. 2).The angling of the arms 36 and 38 allows for minimal pressure dropthrough the housing 12. The shape of the arms 36 and 38 allows foreasily positioning of the fan 22 such that the shaft 50 of the fan 22 isco-axial with the center axis A—A of the center portion 12E of thehousing 12. The arms 36 and 38 of the bracket 34 are preferablyconstructed of hollow rectangular tubing made of a durable, lightweightmaterial such as aluminum. Although the above bracket 34 is preferredand increases the efficiency of the fan assembly 10, the fan 22 may bemounted in the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12 by any well knownmeans.

The fan 22 can be operated by direct drive, by a pulley or belt drivesystem or by any other well known means. For the direct drive, the motor26 is mounted on a support plate (not shown) which extends between thecenter sections 36C and 38C of the arms 36 and 38 of the bracket 34(FIG. 2). The propeller 28 of the fan 22 is mounted directly on themotor shaft 27 of the motor 26. The motor 26 is mounted such that theaxis of the motor shaft 27 and thus, the axis of the propeller 28 areco-axial with the center axis A—A of the center portion 12E of thehousing 12. In an embodiment using a pulley system, the motor 44 ismounted on a top support plate 48 with the motor shaft 46 extendinginward toward the inlet 12A of the housing 12 (FIG. 3). A motor pulley49 is mounted on the end of the motor shaft 46. The propeller 28 ismounted on a shaft 50 which is rotatably mounted by a pillow blockbearing 52 on a lower support plate 54 extending between the centersections 36C and 38C of the arms 36 and 38 of the bracket 34. The lowersupport plate 54 is positioned such that the axis of the shaft 50 andthus, the axis of the propeller 28 is co-axial with the center axis A—Aof the center portion 12E of the housing 12. The end of the shaft 50opposite the propeller 28 is provided with a propeller sheave or pulley56 which is connected by a belt to the motor pulley 49. A belt tensioner58 can also be provided.

The fan 22 is mounted on the bracket 34 such that the motor 26 or 44 ofthe fan 22 is in the inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 and thepropeller 28 of the fan 22 is in the center portion 12E of the housing12 adjacent the outlet portion 12D of the housing 12. In the preferredembodiment, the fan 22 is positioned and the center portion 12E is ofsuch a size that, the propeller 28 is completely within the centerportion 12E. The inner diameter of the center portion 12E of the housing12 is preferably only slightly greater than the diameter of thepropeller 28 of the fan 22 which is equal to the diameter of the path ofthe propeller 28. In the preferred embodiment, the outer ends or tips32A of the blades 32 of the propeller 28 of the fan 22 are spaced onlyabout 0.4% to 0.8% of the propeller diameter from the center portion 12Eof the housing 12. The minimal spacing between the outer ends 32A of theblades 32 of the propeller 28 and the housing 12 increases theefficiency of the fan assembly 10 and is important for the increasedperformance of the fan 22. The length of the inlet portion 12C of thehousing 12 and the positioning of the fan 22 in the center portion 12Eensures that the propeller 28 is at a maximum distance from the inlet12A as allowed by the housing 12. The inlet portion 12C of the housing12 is of greater length than standard housing for fan assemblies suchthat the propeller 28 of the fan 22 is located a greater distance fromthe inlet 12A of the housing 12. The spacing of propeller 28 from theinlet 12A of the housing 12 smooths the transition of air from the inlet12A into the propeller 28 thus, allowing for greater efficiency of thefan 22 due to less air disruption.

A backdraft damper or shutter assembly 60 is removably mounted on theinlet 12A of the housing 12. The shutter assembly 60 opens automaticallyas the propeller 28 rotates and draws air into the inner cavity 18 ofthe housing 12. When the fan 22 is not operating, the shutter assembly60 is in the closed position and prevents air from moving from thebuilding through the housing 12 of the fan assembly 10. The backdraftassembly 60 includes a frame 62 and shutter blades or louvers 64pivotably mounted to the frame 62. The frame 62 has top and bottom rails62A and 62B with side rails 62C extending between the top and bottomrails 62A and 62B. Optionally, a center rail 62D can be provided spacedbetween the side rails 62C and extending from the top rail 62A to thebottom rail 62B (FIG. 7). The center rail 62D is used for larger airshutter assemblies 60 to prevent bending and flexing of the blades 32.The rails 62A, 62B and 62C of the frame 62 have radiused edges on theentrance side opposite the fan 22. The large radiused edges minimize thedisruption of air as it moves into the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12(FIG. 7) which is important for the efficiency of the fan assembly 10.In the preferred embodiment, the radiused outer surface or entrance sideof the rails 62A, 62B and 62C of the frame 62 extend outward beyond theperimeter of the inlet 12A of the housing 12 (FIG. 2). In the preferredembodiment, the radiused edges of the rails 62A, 62B and 62C are formedby an arc of a circle having a 2 inch (5.0 cm) radius. The center rail62D, if provided, is also radiused on its outer surface. The backdraftassembly 60 is removably mounted by toggle latches 66 which are mountedalong the bottom rail 62B of the frame 62 of the backdraft assembly 60.The latches of the toggle latches 66 are mounted on the bottom wall 12Gof the inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 and engage a strike on thebottom rail 62B of the frame 62 of the shutter assembly 60. The top wall12F of the inlet portion 12C of the housing 12 is provided with anoverhang (not shown) which holds the top of the backdraft assembly 60 inplace. The shutter blades 64 have opposed ends 64A and 64B with aleading edge 64C and a trailing edge 64D extending therebetween. Theshutter blades 64 are pivotably mounted at each end 64A and 64B at theirleading edge 64C to the frame 62. The shutter assembly 60 can have anynumber of groups of shutter blades 64. In the embodiment shown, thereare two (2) groups of horizontal shutter blades 64 divided vertically.Thus, each shutter blade 64 extends only half the width of the inlet 12Aof the housing 12. A set of shutter blades 64 is mounted between each ofthe side rails 62C and center rail 62D of the frame 62 in a horizontaldirection (FIG. 7). The shutter blades 64 are spaced apart such that inthe closed position, the trailing edge 64D of an upper shutter blade 64overlaps the leading edge 64C of the next lower shutter blade 64. Theshutter blades 64 are preferably provided with a soft, flexible flap 68along the trailing edge 64D (FIG. 6). The flexible flap 68 forms a sealbetween adjacent shutter blades 64 when the blades 64 are in the closedposition which prevents air from leaking from the inner cavity 18 of thehousing 12. The shutter blades 64 are pivotably mounted to the frame 62by end pieces 70 (one shown). Each shutter blade 64 is provided with afirst end piece 70 and a second end piece (not shown). The end pieces 70slide into each end of each of the hollow blades 64. The first end piece70 is essentially L-shaped with a first leg 70A and a second leg 70B(FIG. 8). The first leg 70A contains a connector 74 and a pivot pin 78at the first end 70 opposite the second leg 70B. The connector 74extends outward from the first leg 70A including two (2) flexible armswhich snap into two (2) openings in each end of the shutter blade 64 andare held in place by the spring action of the flexible arms. Theconnector 74 allows for attaching the first end piece 70 to the end 64Aof the shutter blade 64. The pivot pin 78 extends outward from the firstleg 70A in a direction opposite the connector 74. The pivot pin 78extends and snaps into a round bearing hole in the frame 62 of theshutter assembly 60 and pivotably mounts the shutter blade 64 to theframe 62. The second leg 70B contains a tie bar pin 80 at the second endopposite the first leg 70A. The tie bar pin 80 extends outward in adirection similar to the connector 74. The first leg 70A at the firstend of the first end piece 70 has a bend and extends outward in adirection opposite the tie bar pin 80. This allows the tie bar 82 to bepositioned along the end 64A of the shutter blades 74 which prevents thetie bar 82 from distributing airflow into the housing 12. The tie barpin 80 allows the shutter blades 64 to be connected to a tie bar 82which allows the shutter blades 64 to move in unison and preventsfluttering of the shutter blades 64.

In the preferred embodiment, the shutter blades 64 have an airfoilshape. The airfoil shape allows the shutter blades 64 to lift or open asair moves past with minimum drag. The shape of the shutter blades 64allows for less restriction or turbulence of the air flowing through theshutter assembly 60 and into the inner cavity 18 of the housing 12 andinto the propeller 28 of the fan 22. The pivot pins 78 in the end pieces70 at the ends 64A and 64B of the shutter blades 64 are positioned suchthat gravity acting on the shutter blades 64 assists in opening theshutter blades 64 and maintaining the shutter blades 64 in the openposition such that less lift or air movement is required to hold theshutter blade 64 open. Therefore, the shutter blades 64 will open whenthe air is moving at a lower rate resulting in less drag or pressureloss and thus, allowing greater airflow. The weight of the tie bar 82also assists in opening and maintaining the shutter blades 64 in an openposition. The tie bars 82 for the shutter blades 64 are weighted toassist in moving the shutter blades 64 into a nearly 90° or horizontalposition as air moves through the shutter blades 64. Although a nearly90° angle is optimal, in the preferred embodiment, the shutter blades 64are considered fully open at an angle greater than 75°. When the shutterblades 64 are fully open, little energy is absorbed or used to keep theshutter blades 64 in the fully open position. Any loss is minimal. Theshutter assembly 60 including the frame 62 and the shutter blades 64 ispreferably constructed of PVC.

It is intended that the foregoing description by only illustrative ofthe present invention and that the present invention be limited only bythe hereinafter appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A fan assembly for use in ventilation of a building, whichcomprises: (a) a housing having an outlet with a conical shape, and aninlet with an inner cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet,the inner cavity having a center portion with a circular cross-section;(b) a bracket mounted in the inner cavity of the housing spaced betweenthe inlet and the center portion; (c) a motor mounted on the bracketwith a shaft having opposed ends; (d) a center hub with a first end anda second end mounted on one end of the shaft such that the first end isfacing the outlet of the housing and the second end is facing the inletof the housing; and (e) blades having opposed first and second ends witha leading edge and a trailing edge extending between the ends andmounted at the first end on the center hub such that the trailing edgeis adjacent the first end of the hub and the leading edge is adjacentthe second end of the hub wherein the trailing edge of the bladesadjacent the first end has a rounded protrusion which assists in keepingaxial velocity of air coming off of the blades essentially constantalong most of a length of the blades.
 2. The fan assembly of claim 1wherein a width of the blades between the edges adjacent the first endis less than a width of the blades between the edges adjacent the secondend.
 3. The fan assembly of claim 1 wherein the blades have an airfoilshape.
 4. The fan assembly of claim 3 wherein a thickness of the bladesvaries smoothly from the trailing edge to the leading edge.
 5. The fanassembly of claim 1 wherein the blades have a machete-like tip on thetrailing edge adjacent the second end of the blades.
 6. The fan assemblyof claim 1 wherein there are three blades, wherein a width of the bladesbetween the edges adjacent the first end is less than a width of theblades between the edges adjacent the second end, wherein the bladeshave a machete-like tip on the trailing edge adjacent the second end ofthe blades and wherein the blades have an airfoil shape.
 7. The fanassembly of claim 1 wherein each blade is configured such that when theblades rotate, the axial velocity of air coming off the blades isessentially constant along most of a length of the blades from thesecond end of the blades to the first end of the blades.
 8. The fanassembly of claim 1 wherein the length of the blades is such that adistance between the center portion of the housing and the second end ofeach blade is between 0.4% and 0.8% of a diameter of a path of theblades.
 9. The fan assembly of claim 1 wherein the inlet of the housinghas a square cross-section.
 10. The fan assembly of claim 1 wherein ashoulder is formed in the inner cavity of the housing at an intersectionof the inlet and the center portion and wherein the shoulder is roundedsuch as to reduce disruption of air entering the center portion from theinlet.
 11. The fan assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket is mountedadjacent the center portion and wherein the motor is mounted on thebracket such that the blades are completely within the center portion ofthe inner cavity.
 12. The fan assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracketincludes a first and second arm which extend across the inner cavity ofthe housing such that the shaft of the motor is co-axial with an axialcenter of the center portion of the inner cavity.
 13. The fan assemblyof claim 12 wherein the first and second arms have opposed ends with afront side extending between the ends and wherein the arms are mountedin the inner cavity such that the front side is facing the inlet of thehousing and wherein the front side of the first and second arms of thebracket is radiused to reduce disruption of air entering the centerportion from the inlet.
 14. The fan assembly of claim 13 wherein thefirst and second arms of the bracket each include opposed end sectionswith a center section spaced therebetween wherein the end sectionsextend outward from the center section such that when the bracket ismounted in the inner cavity, planes formed by the arms extend throughand intersect at the axial center of the center portion of the innercavity.
 15. The fan assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing has groovesadjacent the inner cavity extending at an angle between the centerportion of the inner cavity and the outlet of the housing.
 16. The fanassembly of claim 15 wherein the outlet of the housing is a dischargecone having a conical shape and wherein the grooves are angled in aclockwise direction around the discharge cone.
 17. The fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein a backdraft assembly is mounted at the inlet of thehousing, wherein the backdraft assembly includes a frame with shutterblades pivotably mounted on the frame, wherein the shutter blades havean airfoil shape with a leading edge and a trailing edge and are mountedat the leading edge to the frame and wherein a flexible flap is mountedon the trailing edge such that when the shutter blades are in a closedposition, the flexible flap of one shutter blade contacts a nextadjacent shutter blade for sealing the backdraft assembly to prevent airin the inner cavity of the housing from moving out of the housingthrough the inlet and the backdraft assembly and wherein a side of theframe opposite the inlet is radiused to reduce disruption of airentering the fan assembly.
 18. The fan assembly of claim 17 wherein thebackdraft assembly is removable and wherein the inner cavity of thehousing adjacent the inlet is provided with toggle latches which engagea strike mounted on the frame of the backdraft assembly to secure thebackdraft assembly on the inlet.
 19. The fan assembly of claim 17wherein the frame of the backdraft assembly has radiused edges on anoutside surface opposite the inlet of the housing to reduce disruptionof air entering the housing.